Are you happy in England?

Hi I am from Guatemala and I have been in England since 2009.
It has taken me years to get used to the British culture. Now I dont take it personally but I do miss happy faces like in Latinamerica. I choose to keep on smiling and whoever wants to smile back then it is their gain. I choose not to change too much and try not to take it personally however it has been a challenge (culture, weather, food).. how about you?

We have recently settled in Edinburgh from South Africa.  In short.  We are very happy.  We have been accepted in a short period of time, in general the service is great and the people very friendly.  We also feel very safe here as the crime is nothing like we were used to in South Africa.  It is like you have more energy now as you are not exposed to 24 hours of stress. We can go for long walks and stopping at intersections is okay as you know you won't be attacked or someone will run a red traffic light.  We also love it that people have respect for each other and their possessions.  We are very happy.  Will never go back.  Even support England in sport and not SA anymore.

Hello,
I live in London 5-6years.
Very expensive, horrible traffic,
Weather is very, very ☔  ☔ ☔
😞

I first came here as a student in 1990, and after a few stints back in Romania and 6 years in the US, we finally settled in England. In all, I've been in England for 15 years.
Compared to Romania, life is easier here. I don't think I am happier, the English are a miserable lot; they are generally grumpy and it's really difficult to make true friends. They are nice and polite but it's only on the surface.
Twenty years ago I felt really welcome here, but in the last few years I faced quite a lot of racism and xenophobia. The ukip/brexit campaign has made a huge difference on how foreigners are treated. I had my car vandalised 5 times in the last year; house windows smashed on two different occasions, and I can't count how many times I had people shout at me to 'go home, you f-ing foreigner'. I never managed to get the police to record any of these as racist incidents - the police here are just as racist as anyone else. After all these years living in the UK, I am now thinking of moving elsewhere in Europe.

Curious, if you don't mind someone asking:

Where do you live? Are you in a larger urban city or rural or village sort of place?

Plymouth. It's a city, in case you're not familiar with England.

We moved to England (Yorkshire) 20 years ago from Holland (I'm British, wife and kids are Dutch); never had any problems at all; Brexit has had no impact on our lives, we've had no experience of anti-foreign bias or racism.

That said, we don't view the UK as home, we were always going to return to Holland at some stage; our eldest returned to Holland 12 months ago, we won't be far behind her.

That's not too far from Poole; have friends there who have commented that a lot of the south coast seaports have a lot of people coming in unofficially on boats. That's created a lot of unrest and affected tourism badly. It's also about a half hour's drive from UKIP's main headquarters and in an area with high UKIP and BNP membership. Looking at the Brexit breakdowns, most of the south coast voted largely to leave. It's not fair, but when people get worried about money they want easy scapegoats. One of the reasons we're headed for Scotland (aside from having the most family there) is that they mostly voted to remain. Pretty much anyone we know there has a hefty bit of contempt for Farage and his bunch.

Go completely, or maybe go to an area that handles plurality better?

Good afternoon expats in the UK!

I'm originally from Montreal, Canada. My family and I moved here Dec. 30th, 2016. Other than a very rocky start due to missing hearth & home, this experience has been amazing for all of us. Children are loving school, hubby's loving work, I'm enjoying all the travel and exploration we've been doing. The people in this neighbourhood are really friendly, the area is extremely safe and pretty well-cared for.

Last night we were invited to our very first Guy Fawkes fireworks display by some acquaintances.

And the weather... Anyone else feel that the Brits complain too much about their weather? lol Being from Quebec, I'm used to cold and snow... Here, NO SHOVELLING! lol YAY! (Though the 12 year old misses hockey, skating, and building forts.)

Heading out to explore... Cheers!

I’m from Mongolia and have visited UK for short as well as for long period of time. Every time I was in London and it’s surrounding areas I had that fascinating feeling of security. I could stroll along streets even late at night when there is no much traffic, did hiking/walking in rural area of surrey without any fair, and people I’d meet along the way would always greet and smile. I never had any fear to approach someone to ask for a direction and people were willing to help me to get on the right path. Crossing a road was to be a pleasure as drivers would stop a distance away from you with a slight nodding and nice hand gesture to let me cross the road.
In shops the shop assistant wouldn’t bother you and would give me time to make my choice while being attentive at the same time to help me with any queries I might have. Loved my visits and missing the country and it’s people very much!

Yes, I am in love with it, may be because I raised here

I'm not sure about locals, but I felt great duting a month I lived in London. I know that it can be other feelings, when you live somewhere for a short period of time, but I tried to immerse myself completely in the atmosphere of the city. And I liked it. Most of all, I was impressed by some charming atmosphere, although the weather was quite bad and the roads are congested and so on. Besides, local people are so kind when you need their help. So the overall impression of London is mostly positive.

You are SPOT ON. I've also been the  receiver of anti social behaviour by a chavy neighbour, a grown son of low lifes that live near to me. He's made point to terrorise me here off and on for years. Rubbish left in my bins, at my door, knocking on my door at 5am then running off, my car aerial stolen twice, my exhaust and heat shield suddenly falling out from under my car, and more. And  what did police do? NOTHING. They treated me with SPITE. Horrendous. Absolutely horrendous.  You are right to say they are just as racist as the people doing the anti social behaviour. x

Priscilla to answer you directly

I have been here nearly twenty years, and I have a slight contempt now for many english people. and I have come to know that "look" i get as soon as I open my mouth. it's like their faces drop or suddenly go cold and they stop speaking to me. I despise it. I despise them for it. So it changes you being here, when too many people don't want you here and they passively aggressively make it known.

Yes, they are a miserable lot, not all of them, but many of them. But it's partly the weather. And maybe having ice cold mums who raised them without any degree of affection.

Life here is a culture of misery, drinking, cigarettes, and footie or rugby. Not much else.

They love to go on hols abroad, but anyone comes here, not welcome.

Never, ever, blame yourself.